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Anxiety is our body’s natural response to stress, often manifesting as a feeling of fear or unease about what lies ahead. For instance, you might feel anxious when starting a new job or giving a speech on the first day of school.
While fear is an immediate reaction to a present threat, triggering a fight-or-flight response, anxiety is more about anticipating future dangers or challenges.
Anxiety can come in many forms. It’s the brain’s way of reacting to perceived threats or stressful situations. While some level of anxiety is normal, it can sometimes interfere with daily life, making simple tasks feel overwhelming.
In this article, we’ll explore the nuances of anxiety, how it can both hinder and help us, and what we can do to manage it effectively.
What is Anxiety Disorder
Anxiety disorders are mental conditions . They involve excessive worrying or stress about specific situations or aspects of a person’s life.
Anxiety disorder goes beyond the regular nervousness and slight fear you feel from time to time. An anxiety disorder happens when :
- Anxiety interferes with your ability to function normally
- You Overreact to situations. (overreactions).
- You can’t control your responses to situations.
Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder
- Rapid heartbeat or palpitations
- Shortness of breath or a feeling of being smothered
- Sweating
- Trembling or shaking
- Feelings of choking
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Nausea or abdominal distress
- Dizziness, lightheadedness, or feeling faint
- Chills or hot flashes
- Numbness or tingling sensations
- Feelings of unreality or detachment
- Problem sleeping
- Jittery feelings or feelings of restlessness
Causes of Anxiety Disorder
Just like other types of mental health conditions, researchers don’t know exactly what causes anxiety disorders. Nevertheless, they believe a combination of factors plays a role. such as:
Hereditary: Anxiety disorder can run in the family. So if there’s a history of anxiety in your family, there may be a possibility that the anxiety gene has been passed on.
Substance Abuse: Withdrawal symptoms from drug or alcohol addiction can cause anxiety.
Childhood Traumas: Anxiety Disorder can occur as a later result of traumas experienced in childhood.
Prolonged Stress: Stress is a common trigger for anxiety attacks. constant exposure to stressful situations may cause anxiety.
Traumatic Events: such as the loss of a loved one, loss of a job, or a rough breakup, can trigger anxiety disorder in a person.
Types of Anxiety Disorder
Typically, there are different types of anxiety disorder. But in this article, we will be discussing about the most common types. They are:
1. Generalized Anxiety Disorder
This type of anxiety disorder is characterized by fear and constant worry. It causes excessive and unrealistic fear about everyday things. such as speaking publicly, job interviews, new jobs, new schools, the future, and even Health etc.
2. Social Anxiety Disorder
This type of anxiety was formally called social phobia. It is the intense fear of being judged by others in society.
3. Panic Disorder
It is usually unexpected and without warning. It is a recurring panic attack without warning.
4. Agoraphobia
Agoraphobia is the fear of crowds or open places. Although diagnosis is only possible when the fear is intense and interferes with your daily activities, Someone with this disorder may find it difficult
Using public transportation
Being in open or enclosed places
Standing in line or being in a crowd
Being outside the home alone.
Treatment of Anxiety Disorder
As already established, anxiety disorder is a mental condition. And it requires medical attention through an informed and licensed expert in anxiety disorder. Treatments of anxiety may include:
1. Medication for Anxiety Disorder
Medication such as antidepressants are prescribed by psychiatrists who specialize in assisting people with anxiety disorder. These antidepressant drugs are meant to improve anxiety symptoms and help function better.
2. Psychotherapy
Therapy has been known to be an effective method of treating mental disorders. And since anxiety disorder is a mental health condition, seeking the help of a professional and licensed psychotherapist who specializes in assisting people with anxiety will be a helpful approach.
The psychotherapy approach includes:
3. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT can be said to be one of the most common types of approach used when we talk about anxiety disorder. CBT teaches you to recognize and identify your thought processes.
It teaches how those processes lead to troubled thought patterns and your reactions to them. It then helps you learn how to change your thought pattern and your reaction to triggering events or situations.
4. Exposure Therapy
Exposure Therapy is also a common therapy used to treat people with anxiety disorder. The therapist here will create a safe environment where the clients are exposed to their fears. This therapy, as its name implies, exposes anxiety patients to their fear. It allows individuals to confront their fears in a safe environment.
For example: someone who is afraid of riding in an elevator might be made to confront their fear of the elevator by being made to ride in it. This ensures that they attach more realistic beliefs to things they are afraid of.
Conclusion: can one fully recover from anxiety disorder?
Yes, you can have a full recovery from your anxiety disorder. Although there’s no known way to prevent anxiety disorders, appropriate treatment techniques and your strong will to heal will get you there. Remember, seeking help as soon as symptoms appear can help decrease how anxiety disorder influences your daily life activities.
READ:Don’t Let Hate Dim Your Light: Self-Care Strategies for a Healthy Mind in a Toxic World
